AI-Led Time Journey Sequence From Tilly Norwood Creator Ordered By Hearst

Particle6, the UK-based manufacturing firm based by Tilly Norwood creator Eline van der Velden, has been commissioned to make a brand new AI-led collection from Hearst Networks. 

Streets of the Past (Straten van Toen), is a 10-episode, short-form historical past collection commissioned for The History Channel within the Netherlands. It will see Dutch historic investigator, creator and actuality star Corjan Mol (The Curse of Oak Island) transported again in time, with the assistance of AI, to inform compelling tales related to a few of the Netherlands’ most well-known streets, squares and canal sides. 

Featured episodes embody a deal with Rokin in Amsterdam, as we speak a busy buying road, however within the seventeenth century it was house to the world’s first inventory change; and Janskerhof in Utrech, now a flower market and scholar sq. however a middle of Dutch Resistance in World War II. 

In every episode, Corjan Mol will begin on location and go to the modern-day road. As the story of its necessary second in historical past unfolds, AI will assist Mol step again in time and be a part of the motion in a cameo position. Each immersive historic scene will likely be created by AI utilizing archival supplies – resembling work, engravings or images – to make sure accuracy and Particle6 will use each actual historic characters and imagined ones to convey key details by way of actual tales about occasions within the Netherlands right now. 

The actual Corjan Mol closes every episode with a mirrored image about what that second meant for Dutch historical past and the way its legacy nonetheless shapes the Netherlands and Dutch individuals as we speak. 

“While we have been using AI behind the scenes in our productions for some time now, in areas like research and post, this is our first series where AI is majorly deployed on screen, all carefully guided by humans of course,” mentioned Van der Velden. “And, as we all the time knew it could when know-how allowed, it has proved the proper inventive accomplice, enabling us to seamlessly mix live-action footage of the Netherlands as we speak with AI scenes from the identical places prior to now, to ship unbelievable, cinematic photographs that would present a blueprint for the historical past codecs of the long run.

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“We are delighted that Straten van Toen allows us to continue our relationship with Hearst Networks. Not only is the team collaborative, but they are also very forward-thinking and were fully supportive of us experimenting with AI in a history series, ahead of it being adopted in other genres. Also, being Dutch, it proved especially significant that our first exploration of using AI to bring the past to life in this way was with a subject so close to my heart.” 

Sam Pearson, Head of Short Form Commissioning at Hearst Networks added: “Eline and the staff at Particle6 have as soon as once more created a sensible and entertaining factual collection for us, however this time with the addition of unbelievable backdrops and characters dropped at life utilizing AI. The finish end result guarantees to immerse our viewers in historic scenes and tales on the coronary heart of historical past, and we can not wait to see their reactions.

“We are excited to be embracing AI and the opportunities it presents our business and our viewers. We will continue to explore its potential with ethical partners such as Particle6, using it thoughtfully, with clear guardrails and principles, while all the time being transparent with our audiences and sharing when they are watching AI-generated content.” 

Straten van Toen will likely be made obtainable on The History Channel within the Netherlands in January, in addition to its SVoD/BVoD platforms and social media resembling Facebook and Instagram in addition to YouTube. 

This newest fee follows the January 2025 launch of Particle6’s True Crime Secrets on Hearst Networks’ SVoD Crime+Investigation Play, and the September 2025 launch of Two Sides of History on Sky History. Both reveals have been additionally made obtainable on different Hearst Networks VoD/SVoD platforms, in addition to YouTube and different social media platforms.